Canadian versions of Sports Illustrated will increase
despite a bill in the Canadian Senate that would place a heavy
tax on the publication. Nick Wattson, Sales Manager for SI
Canada, has reportedly told potential ad buyers they plan to
"step up" frequency to 18 issues a year from 12. Wattson added
they believe the bill will not pass in its present form (Toronto
GLOBE & MAIL, 11/23)....Also in Toronto, Rob Longley writes with
so many "contrived, made-for-TV competitions clogging the
airwaves in the off-season, the Skins Game has lost some appeal.
Golf is getting as bad as figure skating as the networks flood
the airwaves with off-season specials" (TORONTO SUN,
11/27)....With the announcement Univision will partner with MLS
to televise a match-of-the-week on a national basis, Andres
Cantor, the announcer of the famed "goooaaall" calls, will do
play-by- play (MIAMI HERALD, 11/26)....Rupert Murdoch is
reportedly interested in buying partial broadcast rights for
Italian soccer, in "what could be the first ever rights auction"
by the league. Murdoch's BSkyB believes "rights to Italian
football could be the driving force behind pay television in
Italy" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 11/25)....Pat Hughes, radio voice of the
Brewers, is a finalist to announce on WGN Radio's Cubs
broadcasts, replacing Thom Brennaman who left for Fox. WGN is
said to be looking to "reconfigure the way Cubs games are
announced" on TV and radio (Bob Wolfley, MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL, 11/24)....In Miami, Barry Jackson reports, "in a bit of
a surprise," WIOD appears "more interested" in pursuing rights to
the Panthers than the Marlins when both teams' contracts with
WQAM expire next year. WIOD GM Bob Green said the station will
pursue the Panthers if they stay, but "is noncommittal" about
baseball. One reason could be that WQAM does not pay a rights
fee for the Panthers (MIAMI HERALD, 11/24).
